Understanding the Different Types of Yoga
yoga is becoming a more and more popular activity in the Western world today. The number of places holding Yoga classes is on the increase and there is a plethora of different types of Yoga. With a choice of Hatha yoga, Ashtanga yoga, Power yoga, Iyengar yoga, Bikram yoga, Vinyasa yoga and many more it can be easy to get confused
The article will help you to understand the difference between the most popular types of yoga so you can choose which type is right for you.
Hatha yoga - in sanskrit (an ancient classical language of India) Ha means sun and tha means moon. This type of yoga is relatively slow paced, gentle type of yoga and is a good place to start if you are completely new to yoga and don't know any of the asanas (poses). Like all types of Yoga, Hatha Yoga aims to unite the mind, body and spirit.
Ashtanga yoga - this is the type of yoga that I practice on a regular basis and means eight limbs in sanskrit. It's a fast moving, intense style of Yoga practice and is based on a progressive set sequence of asanas, synchronized with the breath. Ashtanga Yoga can be quite physically demanding as you constantly move from one asana in the sequence to the next, so you'll find that it will improve your stamina as well as your flexibility and strength..
Power yoga - this is a western interpretation of yoga and is based on Ashtanga yoga. A Power yoga class may not necessarily stick to the exact sequence of poses like Ashtanga yoga does, but it does involve practicing a series of poses without stopping and starting.
Iyengar yoga - This type of yoga is based on teachings by B.K.S Igengar and concentrates on the correct alignment and form of the body. Unlike Ashtanga yoga, there is an emphasis on holding each pose for a long period of time rather than moving constantly from one pose to the next. Iyengar yoga uses props such as blocks and straps to help align the body into the different poses.
Vinyasa Yoga - Vinyasa means breath synchronized movement and is another fast paced type of yoga, with an emphasis on breathing. A practice typically starts with sun salutations and moves on to more intense stretching. Throughout the practice each pose is balanced with a counter pose.
Bikram yoga - otherwise known as Hot Yoga, is practiced in a room heated to 105 degrees, with a humidity of around 40%. Generally a sequence of 26 different poses is practiced during a Bikram yoga class and the hot temperature helps to loosen muscles. Due to the high temperature most people sweat a lot during the class and this helps to cleanse the body of toxins.
If you're just starting out or have never done any yoga before, I recommend trying a few different types of yoga to find out what you like best.
Remember, there's no rule that says you have to stick to one type of yoga. I like Ashtanga yoga best, but I also go to occasional Iyengar and Hatha yoga classes for a bit of variety.
To find out more about the different types of Yoga visit the Free online Yoga Guide
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DECT 6.0 - Cordless Phones That Meet the Hype
You've likely heard the ballyhoo after every major cordless phone technology update. This Megahertz and that Gigahertz were all supposed to provide incredible range and amazing clarity. Well, the new-to-the-u.s. DECT cordless phone technology (Digital Enhanced cordless telecommunications or 1.9 GHz) really does live up to the hype. Although all DECT 6.0 cordless phones are not created equal, most DECT phone models provide a winning balance between exceptional voice clarity and suitable-to-fantastic range.
Why is DECT so special?
Digital Enhanced cordless telecommunications is nothing more than a digital wireless communication technology that operates at 1.9 GHz. Its popular with manufacturers (a good thing for consumers) because its a global standard, enabling them to produce fewer models to satisfy the needs of all countries. In general and all other technology components being equal, the lower the frequency, the longer the physical range youll get with your cordless phone. Phones that operate at lower frequencies (remember your old 49 MHz cordless phone from 1988) are also prone to much more interference, which significantly reduces voice clarity. When manufacturers launched phones at the higher frequencies, the opposite occurred as you might expect. Voice clarity improved dramatically with digital 5.8 GHz models, but physical range became a genuine problem..especially in all the growing number of McMansions in the u.s. Some DECT 6.0 cordless phones can get up to 1000 ft of range from the base outdoors.
Though frequency is only one feature to examine in the search for a cordless phone, a DECT 6.0 phone is the best bet in todays cordless phone market as long as all included features meet your needs. Its also dedicated to cordless communication in residential, commercial and public environments, so youre unlikely to be interfering with other home electronics. Besides premium voice quality and extended range, DECT technology is inherently more efficient with battery life. Its not uncommon to see some DECT models with up to 12 hours of talk time, which can be ideal for those who work at home.
Which DECT Phone to Select?
First and foremost, look for a global brand you can trust. Because DECT is a global standard where launching a u.s. product is much less expensive than in the past, youll see lots of import brands hitting the market. Price points vary depending on brand and features, but most DECT phones are at the same or lower cost than the 5.8 GHz phones theyre succeeding. Consider your usage as well. Will you be using the phone in a home office where youll need a headset jack? Surprisingly, only some DECT models have included a headset jack. Will you need multiple handsets? While most models are expandable, be cautious that a few are locked into the one included handset. There are many more features available, but most DECT phones handle core functionality (excellent voice quality and good range) really well. Look for reviews and comparisons online and consider asking your retailer for recommendations.
Bill Nagel, a veteran in the consumer telecommunications market and founder of cordless Workz, is always on the hunt for the best performing cordless phones. You are allowed to publish this article in its entirety provided that the authors name and website links must remain intact and included with every reproduction.
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Perfects Abs - Three Ab Routines To Show Your Six Pack
Crazy, ripped, hard abs. That's the key to showing an awesome body. If you think that all training is about is making sure your chest is big enough to make your shirt hang out past your stomach then youre missing the boat. Chiseled abs is awesome abs.
How do you get ripped abs?
It's about diet, cardio and hard ab routines. I'll give you the low down on how to burn in some washboard abs with this killer ab routine and save the diet ramble for another time.
First of all if your not training abs, start. That would be beginner ab routine phase one! Three sets of crunches for 20 reps a set. If that's not a problem then superset each set of crunches with a set of hip roles, followed by a brief 30 second rest to let the burn fizzle a bit.
For hip roles you lie on the ground pushing down with your hands and raise your pelvis off the floor so the tail bone comes right up and squeeze the abs!
Last step in the beginner ab routine is to add in some bridges or "planks" as some "guru's" of fitness have coined them. This is basically a pushup position but you don't rest on your hands, you rest on your forearms and just hold it for 30-60 seconds. Don't let your lower back sag! Keep a slightly inverted c posture like your trying to pull your hips toward your chin.
So here is the ab routine once you are working all exercises together.
Beginner ab routine phase 1:
Crunch x20
Hip roll x20
Bridge for 30-60 seconds
Rest and repeat for 3 circuits or just keep rotating through!
Alright enough of the easy stuff, we're here for some serious abs, killer abs.
Onto Ab Routine 2: The ab killer! I love pet names.
This ab routine will all be done on the decline bench.
The first ab exercise? Decline hip roll/leg raise. Beauty!
Step 1: Put your head where your feet should be
Step 2: grab the bench or the footholds; whichever is more comfortable (not that it will matter in a few minutes)!
Step 3: stretch out and do a straight-legged leg raises.
Step 4: once at the top of the leg raise turn it into a hip roll so that you point your feet at the ceiling. Hold for a three count and go back down!
Second ab routine exercise:
Incline sit-ups:
Step 1: put your feet in the foot holds (you've turned around!)
Step 2: Lower yourself until you're about a foot short of lying fully back
Step 3: Come back up if youre still with me!
Third ab routine exercise:
Incline Russian twists (even sounds evil doesn't it?)
Step 1: don't move out of the sit up position. Just grab a medicine ball or a 10- pound weight.
Step 2: straighten fully your arms right to your front and lower yourself to the bottom position of the incline sit up and hold it.
Step 3: Rotate to the right 90 degrees with your arms straight and then back to the left at 90 degrees. That's one rep. You don't come out of the bottom at all! Fun huh?
Here it is ab routine layout:
Leg raise/hip roll x20
Incline sit-ups x20
Russian twists x20 or 40 if you count both sides!
No rest between ab exercises, and only 30-60 seconds rest after completing the tri-set.
Third Ab Routine:
And the grand daddy hardest ab routine ever? For mortals anyway? Because I remember something about homer simpson and a cannon ball, but I think you need to have access to the applesauce bar for that ab routine to work!
Well lets call it the "commando cardio ab annihilation" workout. I have to have a fancy name on it or you wouldn't be interested! It involves a pre-stretch, a contraction and a dynamic stabilization (I just made that up, but you get the idea) exercise. Here are the ab routine exercises.
1. smith machine, Swiss ball hip rolls
2. Partner resisted Swiss ball crunches
3. Swiss ball rollouts
4. Profuse sweating and clutching of the stomach.
Ab routine exercise 1: smith machine, Swiss ball hip rolls:
1.Set the bar low in the smith machine, just below the top of the Swiss ball.
2. Sit on the ball and roll out so that you have to reach back and grab the bar as you lie on the ball. You should be about 2-3 feet away, stabilizing your self by holding the bar and flexing everything!
3. Using only your abs, stretch your pelvis down as low as it will go and then do a hip roll. Legs straight is the hardest.
Ab routine exercise 2: Partner resisted Swiss ball crunches.
1. Its a normal Swiss ball ab crunch but your arms are crossed across your chest and your "friend" pushes down on your shoulders to apply resistance. That's it,..ahem.
Ab routine exercise 3: Swiss ball rollouts.
1. Kneel on a pad with legs crossed ball in front of you not on the pad.
2. Your hands are on the ball so it now looks like your praying?
3. Roll the ball out until your straight as a board with your head between your arms and pull it back in.
4. Profuse sweating and clutching of the stomach. This should come naturally.
In an ab routine all together?
smith machine/Swiss ball hip rolls x20
Partner resisted Swiss ball crunches x20
Swiss ball rolloutsx20
Rest 30-60 seconds after each tri-set circuit or continue right through if you're a freak of nature or slightly "touched". I've never gotten 20 on all ab exercises on all three sets in a continuous circuit, let me know if you do!
I'll have to buckle down!
Ray Burton is a motivational speaker, an ISSA-certified personal trainer, philanthropist, and author of the best selling weight loss book, "Fat To Fit - The Journey Ray has written hundreds of articles and been featured in Rising women, The Calgary Sun, and www.Crosstrainer.ca
For info on Ray's book, visit the home page at: http://www.FatToFitBook.com. To get Rays FREE weight loss tips newsletter visit his weight loss website.
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